How To Be A Diva In Three Easy Steps

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to be reminded of what’s important, or more precisely, WHO’S most important. You have an obligation as a worship leader to be the center of attention, and I’m here to give you a quick tutorial on how to put yourself on a pedestal, making sure you get ALL of the credit you deserve this year. Let’s get started!

Do the least amount of preparation possible. You’re a star, and a star’s only job is to shine! Let everyone else around you do the work. The production team loves chasing your whims, so don’t worry about thinking through the set, making sure that the band is prepared and that information is delivered in a timely manner. A true diva should confuse and frustrate the teams around them. And don’t forget—everyone loves last minute changes. That’s what makes the weekend exciting!

Accept all of the praise, none of the criticism. When everything goes well it’s because you’re awesome! If things fall apart it’s because the people around you aren’t professional enough to get the job done. How can you be expected to sing the right lyrics if the person running the confidence monitor throws up the wrong verse? How can you be expected to give a good vocal performance if your monitor mix is trash?
And by all means—call out the offender during the service (and after, just for good measure). Don’t you dare let that bass player get away with sliding up to the wrong note during your big vocal moment.

Do what’s best for you. Remember—it’s all about you! Call times don’t apply to the diva. In fact, making the band and production team wait on you to hit the stage reminds them who’s in charge. You didn’t have time to work on that new song? No problem. Everyone will understand that you had more important things to do during the week. Feeling a little under the weather? Ask someone to lead the songs you were supposed to lead, or better yet take the weekend off. Obviously you can’t allow any of your band or singers do this—EVER!—but they’re not the star of the show, are they?

BONUS: If you want to be an “Ultimate Diva” you’ll need to work independently of the rest of the church staff. Do the songs you want to do, especially if they’re songs you’ve written. It doesn’t matter if the music you’ve chosen doesn’t match the overall goal of the weekend, or the pastor’s message, or even the season your church is in. DO YOUR THING!

Andy came to Church on the Move in 2005, having been in the music industry for over 25 years. He's dedicated to raising up the next generation of worship leaders, and even though he spent many years with the group 4him, he says he's "having more fun now than I ever did on the road."